Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Many of us who monitoring Milsat activity are well aware of the hijinks involving Brazilian (aka Portuguese speaking) pirates transmitting over our UHF milsats. Well one another one of them has been busted, and no he was not in South America, but right here in the United States, New Jersey and an Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator to boot.

So who is our winner of the "Bonehead of 2012 award?" Here is part of the story courtesy of the ARRL website:

After unsuccessfully appealing to the FCC to cancel his $20,000 forfeiture, Joaquim Barbosa, N2KBJ, of Elizabeth, New Jersey was issued a Forfeiture Order stating that he must pay $16,000 for “willfully and repeatedly violating Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by operating a radio transmitting equipment on the frequency 296.550 MHz without Commission authorization.”

The FCC noted in the Forfeiture Order that based on the examination process involved in pursuing an amateur license, “amateur licensees are expected to have an understanding of radio operations and pertinent FCC regulations, including Part 97 of the FCC’s rules governing the Amateur Radio Service. Licensed amateur operators know that they are authorized to operate only on the frequencies listed in Section 97.301 of the rules, as designated by their operator class and license. Pursuant to the Table of Allocations, the 267-322 MHz band -- the band that Barbosa was operating in -- is allocated solely for federal government use, which we continue to believe Barbosa knew (or should have known) was not authorized for non-government use.”

Barbosa’s Amateur Radio license expired August 31, 2008, but his timely filed renewal application was listed as “Offlined for Enforcement Bureau Action” in the ULS. As such, Barbosa was legally allowed to operate while his case was undergoing the enforcement proceedings.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

North Korea successfully launched a Unha-3 three stage rocket on Wednesday from its west coast launch site. The rocket, which North Korea says put a weather satellite into orbit, has been labeled by the United States, South Korea and Japan as a test of technology that could one day deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting targets as far away as the continental United States.

"The satellite has entered the planned orbit," a North Korean television news reader clad in traditional Korean garb announced, after which the station played patriotic songs with the lyrics "Chosun (Korea) does what it says."

The Unha-3 rocket fired just before 9:49 a.m. local time (0049 GMT), and was detected heading south by a South Korean destroyer patrolling the Yellow Sea. Japanese officials said the first rocket stage fell into the Yellow Sea west of the Korean Peninsula; a second stage fell into the Philippine Sea hundreds of kilometers (miles) farther south.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), later confirmed that "initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit," the first time an independent body has verified North Korean claims.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - North
American Aerospace Defense Command officials acknowledged today that U.S.
missile warning systems detected and tracked the launch of a North Korean
missile at 7:49 p.m. EST. The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth.
Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea. The
second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea. Initial
indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve
orbit. At no time was the missile or the resultant debris a threat to North
America.

A top-secret X-37B mini-space shuttle has blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The Air Force launched the unmanned spacecraft Tuesday aboard an Atlas V rocket with an on-time liftoff at 1:03 p.m. at Launch Complex 41.

The Atlas rocket and its Centaur upper stage performed flawlessly through the first 17 minutes and 34 seconds. The mission then switched into a classified mode, and an information blackout followed.

It's the second flight for this original X-37B spaceplane. It circled the planet for seven months in 2010. A second X-37B spacecraft spent more than a year in orbit. The two previous secret flights were in roughly 200-plus-mile-high orbits. These spacecraft are capable of autonomous atmospheric reentry and landing. The first two missions concluded on a runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The military isn't saying much if anything about this new secret mission. But one scientific observer, Harvard University's Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, speculates the spaceplane is carrying sensors designed for spying and likely is serving as a testbed.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Reuters is reporting that the United States is shifting warships into position to track and possibly
defend against a planned North Korean rocket launch while urging Pyongyang to
cancel its second such attempt this year, the head of the U.S. Pacific Command
said on Thursday.

"It should seem logical that we'll move them around so we have the best
situational awareness," he said. "To the degree that those ships are capable of
participating in ballistic missile defense, then we will position them to be
able to do that."The United
States and many other countries view it as a test of a long-range,
nuclear-capable ballistic missile that would violate U.N. resolutions and
further destabilize the Korean Peninsula. The North Korean launch attempt in
April failed

Meanwhile in Japan, the order to destroy the missile should any part of it threaten to fall onto
Japanese territory was issued after a meeting of the Security Council of Japan
met in the morning and was informed that North Korea has begun has filling a
fuel tank alongside the launch pad at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in
preparation for the launch.

Japan has already deployed Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile batteries in
Tokyo, as well as in Okinawa and at locations along the northern and eastern
coasts facing the Korean Peninsula.

Three Japanese destroyers equipped with the advanced Aegis detect-and-destroy
weapons system have been deployed in the Sea of Japan.

Pyongyang claims the launch is an attempt to put an earth-observation
satellite into orbit. But analysts and foreign governments share the belief that
the it is part of North Korea's development of long-range missiles.

The head of US forces in Japan, Lt. Gen. Salvatore Angelella, told reporters
on Thursday that the launch threatens the stability of the region..

In a statement to the SAC steering board and NATO Airlift Management Organization Board of Directors at a semi-annual meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, Boone stated "as the HAW commander I have the privilege to declare that effective 14 November 2012 the Strategic Airlift Capability Heavy Airlift Wing has reached full operational capability."

The SAC is a cooperative effort of 12 nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States. Its operational arm, the HAW, is stationed at Papa Air Base, Hungary, and flies worldwide missions with Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The HAW was activated on July 27, 2009, and reached initial operational capability on May 25, 2010. During this initial period the wing not only became a well-trained international military airlift unit, but also proved capable of supporting the participating nations with strategic airlift missions in all major operational areas.

As preconditions to be fully operational, the wing can safely and effectively conduct the entire range of missions assigned to it with three C-17 aircraft, full manning, sufficient infrastructure and logistical sustainment. The wing is supported by the participating SAC nations, the host nation of Hungary, the NATO Airlift Management Program and Boeing Field Services. Post-FOC, the HAW is able to produce the annual flight hours required by the SAC member nations.

Boone lauded the unit when he said, "The men and women of the Heavy Airlift Wing, along with their families, have worked exceptionally hard to build a team that is second to none. Together with the mission partners here at Papa Air Base and around the world, we have forged a great example of pooling and sharing, smart defense, and smart support. I am extremely proud to lead such a diverse, talented, and focused bunch of professionals.

"FOC is a significant achievement in the short history of the HAW. The future remains before us, and it is bright indeed. We might be 12 nations, but we are one team, one mission, one vision!"

Since the delivery of the first aircraft in July 2009, the HAW has flown more than 8,000 flight hours, delivered more than 24,000 tons of cargo and moved more than 32,000 passengers for the SAC nations across six continents, including missions to Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard's Vigilant Guard training exercise concluded Wednesday, after a five day period that was a response to a simulated earthquake that took place along the New Madrid fault line.

Vigilant Guard was a worst-case scenario natural disaster exercise that was a response to the last ten years in the state of Missouri, which saw flooding, ice storms and the Joplin tornado, said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.

"More than 4,600 Soldiers, Airmen and civilian partners participated in this exercise, which is one of the largest Missouri has ever organized," Danner said. "It was an outstanding opportunity for our force to test our processes and capabilities. The Missouri National Guard is the most seasoned, battle-tested force we've ever fielded, but we are always looking for ways to improve ourselves so we can better serve the state."

Col. William Blaylock, the Director of Strategic Plan and Exercises for the Missouri National Guard, was also pleased with the results of the Vigilant Guard exercise.

"From a soldier-standpoint and even the civilians, we have had tremendous cooperation and participation," Blaylock said. "Missouri Guard soldiers and soldiers in general are trained to rise to the occasion when orders are not given, and everyone has done a great job in that sense."

In Columbia, Soldiers and Airmen worked alongside civilian agencies including Missouri Task Force 1, a FEMA urban search and rescue team, to practice skills including search and extraction and decontamination. The training was especially realistic because it included role players who acted as victims.

The teams in Columbia reported to the Guard's Joint Operations Center, or, JOC, in Jefferson City. The JOC is the central nerve hub of the Missouri National Guard. Danner recently expanded the JOC to give the Soldiers, Airmen and civilians working within a more effective working environment. Vigilant Guard was the Guard's first opportunity to utilize the new facility, said Maj. Brett Cooper, chief of current operations in the Joint Operations Center.

"It was a wise decision to move from what we were using previously to where we are today," Cooper said. "It's really going to benefit the citizens, which is ultimately why we're here and why we're working together today."

Columbia saw a variety of staged missions, including search and rescue from destroyed buildings, decontamination from chemical waste outbreak, as well as medical treatment tents for civilian who were suffering from different injuries sustained due to the mock earthquake.

In Jefferson City, the 1438th Engineer Company completed a successful bridge building exercise along the river, which saw pieces of bridging be loaded into the water, and be pieced together.

The unit also completed a similar exercise the previous day at the Macon Training Site.

Similar missions also took place around the southeastern portion of the state, which is where the mock 6.7 magnitude earthquake took place.

Not only were Guardsmen working hard to support the simulated exercise, but members of the 735th Field Service Company Family Readiness Group worked to secure supplies for those participating in Vigilant Guard, coordinating donations from multiple vendors that were sold at the training exercises in Columbia, to help raise money for Missouri Guardsmen and their families.

"Our job as soldiers in the Missouri National Guard is to protect and defend this state, and this exercise is training for that mission," Blaylock said. "We work with civilians and other state agencies to ensure we are protecting and taking care of the citizens of the state of Missouri."

As the next secretive flight of the U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B mini-shuttle draws closer, analysts are keeping a close eye on China’s own potential space plane, the Shenlong.

Last year several Chinese media outlets reported a test flight of the Shenlong space plane that apparently included its airdrop from an H-6 bomber. But the nature of the Shenlong project's testing, as well as what the robot vehicle truly represents, remains sketchy.

Several China watchers in the U.S. have taken a stab at what the Shenlong (Mandarin for "Divine Dragon) might mean, with some experts conjecturing that the craft is simply a tit-for-tat response to the unmanned X-37B space plane.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

(Reuters) - China appears to be within two
years of deploying submarine-launched nuclear weapons, adding a new leg to its
nuclear arsenal that should lead to arms-reduction talks, a draft report by a
congressionally mandated U.S. commission says.

China is alone among the original nuclear weapons states to be expanding its
nuclear forces, the report said. The others are the United States, Russia,
Britain and France.
Beijing is "on the cusp of attaining a credible nuclear triad of land-based
intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and
air-dropped nuclear bombs," the report says.
China has had a largely symbolic ballistic missile submarine capability for
decades but is only now set to establish a "near-continuous at-sea strategic
deterrent," the draft said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao has made it a priority to modernize the country's
navy. China launched its first aircraft carrier, purchased from Ukraine and then
refurbished, in September.

The deployment of a hard-to-track, submarine-launched leg of China's nuclear
arsenal could have significant consequences in East Asia and beyond. It also
could add to tensions between the United States and China, the world's two
biggest economies.
Any Chinese effort to ensure a retaliatory capability against a U.S. nuclear
strike "would necessarily affect Indian and Russian perceptions about the
potency of their own deterrent capabilities vis-à-vis China," the report said,
for instance.

Beijing already has deployed two of as many as five of a new class of
nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. The JIN-class boat is due to carry
the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile with an estimated range of about
7,400 km (4,600 miles).
The new submarines and the JL-2 missile will give Chinese forces its "first
credible sea-based nuclear capability," the U.S. Defense Department said in its
own 2012 annual report to Congress on military and security developments
involving China.

The detachment, which is located at Offutt AFB, Neb., is responsible for operating and maintaining the advanced atmospheric research equipment aboard the specially-configured WC-135 aircraft in support of the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System.

USAEDS is a global network of nuclear detection sensors that monitor underground, underwater spaced based or atmospheric events. AFTAC is the sole Department of Defense agency tasked with operating the USAEDS for nuclear event detection, which is directly linked to the center's nuclear treaty monitoring mission.

The Air Force has two specially-configured WC-135s in its inventory. Interestingly, the jet that visited Patrick AFB, #667, was also the aircraft that was tasked to assist during Operation Tomodachi, the DoD's response to the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan in March 2011.

During the very early stages of the nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant on the Pacific coast of Japan, the WC-135 flew nine missions and analyzed 660 samples, which were forwarded to national laboratories for further examination and analysis. Fukushima was the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986, where the WC-135 also played a major role in tracking radioactive debris from that plant's disaster.

"One of the great success stories for Det. 1 was the fact that AFTAC's analysis of the Tomodachi airborne samples enabled our scientists to develop plume models that provided scientific evidence for senior leaders to make critical decisions regarding the evacuation of Americans in Japan," said Lt. Col. John Baycura, detachment commander. "We were able to collect, analyze and disseminate data that was considered the best in the nation - and was provided to the highest levels of our government."

Their efforts paid off: AFTAC's Tomodachi team was nominated for the prestigious Samuel J. Heyman Service to America medal, a national level award that recognizes significant contributions by those in federal service.

As people made their way through and around the aircraft on Patrick's flightline, crewmembers briefed visitors on the features and capabilities of the atmospheric collection suite, which allows the mission crew to detect radioactive 'clouds' in real time.

"Our aircraft is equipped with external flow devices that allow us to collect airborne particulate on filter paper and a compressor system for whole air samples," said Staff Sgt. Matt Wilkens, Det. 1 Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of current operations. "The particulate samples are collected using a device that works like an old Wurlitzer jukebox. An arm grabs the paper from its slot and moves it to the exterior of the fuselage. After exposure, it is returned to the filter magazine where a new paper is selected for use. It's a simple, yet effective, concept."

The WC-135 has been in the Air Force inventory since 1965 and currently supports the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which prohibits any nation from testing nuclear weapons above ground. The Constant Phoenix is the only aircraft in the USAF that conducts air sampling operations. The cockpit crews are from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron at Offutt AFB.

"I was really impressed and really glad I had a chance to see the plane in person," said Yamilka Camacho, AFTAC Human Resources assistant. "I've been working at AFTAC for three years and knew what the Constant Phoenix' mission was, but getting to see it up close and listen to the crew talk about the equipment really put it all in perspective for me."

Monday, November 05, 2012

Story byBill Gertz on the Washington Free Beacon websiteA Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine cruised within 200 miles of the East Coast recently in the latest sign Russia is continuing to flex its naval and aerial power against the United States, defense officials said.

The submarine was identified by its NATO designation as a Russian Seirra-2 class submarine believed to be based with Russia’s Northern Fleet. It was the first time that class of Russian submarine had been detected near a U.S. coast, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of anti-submarine warfare efforts.

One defense official said the submarine was believed to have been conducting anti-submarine warfare efforts against U.S. ballistic and cruise missile submarines based at Kings Bay, Georgia.
A second official said the submarine did not sail close to Kings Bay and also did not threaten a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group that was conducting exercises in the eastern Atlantic.

Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, north of Jacksonville, Fla., is homeport for two guided missile submarines and six nuclear missile submarines. The submarines are known to be a target of Russian attack submarines.

Meanwhile, the officials also said that a Russian electronic intelligence-gathering vessel was granted safe harbor in the commercial port of Jacksonville, Fla., within listening range of Kings Bay.
The Russian AGI ship, or Auxiliary-General Intelligence, was allowed to stay in the port to avoid the superstorm that battered the U.S. East Coast last week. A Jacksonville Port Authority spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the Russian AGI at the port.

“A Russian AGI and an SSN in the same geographic area as one of the largest U.S. ballistic missile submarine bases—Kings Bay—is reminiscent of Cold War activities of the Soviet navy tracking the movements of our SSBN’s,” said a third U.S. official, referring to the designation for ballistic missile submarines, SSBN.

The Sierra II (Project 945.A - Кондор/Kondor) class has a considerably larger sail which is 16.5 ft (5.0 m) longer than the Sierra I type. The sail also has a curious flat, square leading edge. The masts are offset on the starboard side to make way for two escape pods in the sail. The starboard side also has a 10-point environment sensor fitted at right angles to the front end of the sail. Also, the Sierra II type has a much larger pod on its after fin. The pod houses the Skat 3 passive very low frequency towed array.

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) returned to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for the last time Sunday under its own power, ending a storied era of service at sea in all the nation’s wars and conflicts since the Cuban Missile Crisis 50 years ago.

Thousands of family members and spectators were on hand as tugboats nudged the Navy’s first nuclear carrier dockside and the ship’s crew began the delicate work of shutting down her eight reactors.

“Homecoming will no doubt be a bittersweet day,” said Capt. William C. Hamilton, the ship’s commander, before the Enterprise arrived from her 25th and last deployment. “To know that it is the last time Enterprise will be underway through her own power makes our return very sentimental.”
On her last journey, the Enterprise cruised nearly 81,000 miles in a 238-day deployment to the Persian Gulf and her aircraft flew more than 2,000 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

This has not been a victory lap for Enterprise, by any means,” said Rear Adm. Ted Carter, commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. “This has been a full combat operation. It’s been a business as usual kind of deployment.”

The decommissioning of the Enterprise will leave the Navy with 10 carriers and likely make deployments longer and turnarounds quicker for the carrier fleet, as the Navy has committed to a two-carrier deployment to the Persian Gulf region indefinitely to counter the threat from Iran.

The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, now under construction, is slated to replace the Enterprise in 2015.

The official inactivation ceremony for Enterprise will take place on Dec. 1. The carrier will remain at Norfolk for about six months to have equipment off-loaded and then will be towed to the Huntington Ingalls docks in Newport News, Va., to defuel its nuclear reactors.

The ship will later be towed again to the Puget Sound Nava Shipyard in Washington state to be dismantled and have its metal sold for scrap. The entire process will take about four years, the Navy has said.

Enterprise has achieved a number of firsts since putting to sea in 1961. She was the first nuclear-powered carrier and was key to America’s initial response to 9/11. The Enterprise was returning from a Persian Gulf deployment in September 2001 when the carrier was ordered to reverse course and launch the first strike sorties against al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

As she returned to Norfolk this time, Enterprise was the second oldest commissioned ship in the Navy after the three-masted wood frigate Constitution (Old Ironsides), which was launched in 1797.

Impact from the storm includes fallen trees, scattered debris, some property damage, minor flooding and power outages.

"The entire joint base's preparation efforts went a long way toward mitigating serious damage," said Maj. Chris Wedewer, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron, operations flight chief. "A majority of the facilities and base housing units on McGuire and Lakehurst have full power. Several power lines were downed by the storm and as a result, most of Dix remains without power. The downed power lines do pose a hazard, but we're working to get them repaired as soon as possible."

The base continues to house 300 U.S. Coast Guard recruits from Cape May, N.J., in addition to providing an installation support base for FEMA Region II and III. FEMA Region II serves New Jersey and New York while FEMA Region III serves Washington D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

"FEMA will continue recovery efforts for the central and southern New Jersey area from JB MDL as long as necessary," said Bill Douglass, external affairs specialist at FEMA, Region II. "FEMA will also be actively engaged throughout New York, just as it was through much of last year and this, helping communities recover from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in both New York and New Jersey."

In spite of current limitations, base personnel will resume normal operating hours Wednesday.

"The efforts by a small group of people were phenomenal," said Col. Jeffery Doll, Army Support Activity-Dix commander. "I fully expect the recovery effort at our ranges to be completed within 24 hours and for training to resume once power is restored to our facilities."

Evacuated aircraft are also preparing to return to the installation from their temporary shelter locations.

"We're just thankful our folks weathered the storm without serious injury and that we continue to support recovery operations in the local area by hosting the FEMA team here," said Col. John Wood, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

One of two missing crew members from the replica tall ship HMS Bounty has been recovered hours after the US coastguard rescued 14 of her colleagues following a decision to abandon the vessel in the path of hurricane Sandy. You can view US Coast Guard video/audio of the SAR by clicking here.

The Global Thunder exercises are designed to reflect the ongoing evolution of USSTRATCOM and its components providing opportunities to incorporate the most current technology and techniques in support of these efforts.

Following traffic was monitored by Jeff Haverlah in Houston and is related to this exercise: Thanks for sharing with the rest of us Jeff.

1931z 27 Oct 12 11175.0 was active at 1900z and 1930z with ANGRY
MAN (good/fair levels here) with the "standing by for traffic" statement
(x2).

2231z 27 Oct 12 11175.0 was active at at 2030z with ANDREWS (good
levels) bcsting a 28-character EAM (VHHAFZ). At 2032z (after the completion
of the ANDREWS xmsn) ANGRY MAN was on frequency with the "standing by for
traffic statement". Nothing heard since until...
11175.0 was
active at 2230z with ANGRY MAN (fair/good) with the "standing by for traffic"
statement.

1935z 28 Oct 12 8992.0 was active at 1930z with CARPENTER (good
levels here) bcsting 32-character EAM (IEPION) with the character count
statement, closing with the "Standing by for traffic" statement (x2), and
out. Simulcasting same on at least 11175.0 (fair/good) with nothing heard on
4724.0 or 15016.0. H+00/h+30 active. Suspected 'glass activity.

At 1958z CARPENTER (guess; no id
given) keyed the 11175.0 in preparation for their H+00 EAM restoral. At 1959z
an unknown station (garbled id, good to fair levels; deep voice) called
"(sounded like "bowel" or "b-owl" aircraft) and requested they "check into
the net.

At 2000z CARPENTER (fair) was up with VH5VNQ but did not
close with the "standing by for traffic" statement. He dueled with ANDREWS
bcsting their H+00 restoral of VH5VNQ and the 28-character EAM
(VHPPQ7).

At the conclusion of the ANDREWS bcst, RED RIVER (now the
id is clearly heard) came up on freq with another call for "All (something;
could not make it out) check in with (sounded like "weather") on HF". RED
RIVER was then up with a string of multiple numbers, and then calling what
sounded
like "b-owl" aircraft again. He may have acknowledged a call from a
"b-owl ##".

At 2008z CARPENTER (fair/weak) was up on 11175.0 with
the "standing by for traffic statement" (x2) and out.

11175.0 was
active with (sounded like "broad pin" or ??; weak/fair but unable to get a
clear id) bcdsting VH5VNQ and VHPPQ7 and ending with the "standing by for
traffic statement." H+10/h+40 activity. Possible TACAMO LANT
activity.

274 messages (replaced 369 messages a bunch of years ago) are
sometimes heard; at least one instance of an "JCS Exercise Global Guardian"
EAM was heard in the late 90s during a GLOBAL GUARDIAN exercise; but what
is unusual (to me) is the use of 13200.0. I didn't hear these
stations
rolling through the other HFGCS freqs. Has 13200.0 become
"special"?

It also confirmed that this is a GLOBAL THUNDER 13 exercise
instead of a GLOBAL LIGHTNING 13 exercise presumed to be common at this time
of the year.

2110z 28 Oct 12 Post (nuclear) attack battle damage traffic. I've
never heard a stated GLASS EYE report during these exercises such as the
following until now.

13200.0 was active at 2054z with ANDREWS
bcsting a 28-character EAM (VHS7WL).

13200.0 was active at 2107z
with (could not make out id) 14 calling SKYMASTER with "GLASS EYE" (spoken)
"flash traffic": "FLASH 281930 FLASH KKOFF FLASH 1 FLASH 02 FLASH 7A FLASH
FLASH"; then repeated to SKYMASTER and gone. Apparently in the blind with no
heard response from any SKYMASTER. [Would that be KOFF?]

2321z 28 Oct 12 11175.0 was active at 2259z with SIGONELLA (fair
levels here) with a test count and gone.

11175.0 was active at
2300z with CARPENTER (strong levels here) with the "standing by for traffic"
statement (x2) and out.

11175.0 was active at 2304z with BROAD BEAM
(fair levels) bcsting a 20-character EAM (IERZ2T) and simulcasting same on
4724.0 (weak), 8992.0 (good/strong), and 15016.0 (weak). I don't recall ever
hearing a player in these nets (at least since the major preamble "split" at
01 Oct 96)
transmitting this preamble series of strings
(6/20/variable).

11175.0 was active at 2310z with BROAD BEAM
"standing by for traffic" (x2) and out. No restoral string.

8992.0 was active at 2334z with CARPENTER (strong levels here) bcsting the
20-character EAM (IERZ2T)[VRCYG26WYB7PC2] followed with the "standing by for
traffic" statement and out. (That suggests a h+04/h+34 window.)

8992.0 was active at 2337z with (maybe OFFUTT; not paying attention; good
levels) bcsting the 20-character EAM IERZ2T but with the reading including
the operator saying "item 13 garbled" in both readings of the string. (That
would be the "6".)

0003z 29 Oct 12 8992.0 was active at 0000z with SAM WORTH
(strong/good levels here) standing by for traffic (x2) and out. CARPENTER's
new day callsign.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

By Steve Marshall and Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. – National Guard members and residents along the East Coast prepared today for Hurricane Sandy, which gained strength as it churned toward the eastern seaboard.
The storm was barreling north from the Caribbean and was expected to make landfall early Tuesday near the Delaware coast, then hit two winter weather systems while moving inland, creating the potential for a monster storm, according to the Associated Press.

At least 61,000 National Guard members are on hand, Guard officials said today.

As of 1:30 p.m. EDT today, governors in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and the mayor of Washington D.C., have declared states of emergency.

In Delaware, Gov. Jack Martell advised residents, “Be prepared to leave and be prepared to stay.” Delaware state agencies are planning for the worst, Martell said Friday.

National Guard units in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia are coordinating with authorities in the event Sandy makes landfall as predicted.

North Carolina alone has 10,000 Citizen-Soldiers standing by if needed.

"We are monitoring Hurricane Sandy closely and coordinating with our federal, state and local partners to ensure a coordinated and efficient response," said Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief of the National Guard Bureau. "Units across the National Guard are making the necessary preparations to respond to the needs of any states affected by Hurricane Sandy; rest assured the National Guard is poised and ready to provide proven responders and capabilities."

According to National Weather Service officials, the Category I storm could weaken into a tropical storm before it hits land in the Northeast/New England coast, but it could drop as much as 10 inches of rain along the coast on its northerly trajectory. If it collides with arctic air moving from the north and an early winter storm moving from the west, Sandy could potentially turn into what some weather officials are calling the “perfect storm.”

In Delaware, the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has nurses and med techs already on standby, while the Air Guard is moving all flyable equipment out of the storm’s path over the weekend. The Army Guard will be sheltering helicopters until the storm passes, at which point they can fly into action as needed, Delaware National Guard officials said.

"We are joined in a cooperative effort - to save lives, protect property, and support recovery efforts," Gen. Grass said.

At the direction of Secretary Panetta, the Department of Defense is
taking aggressive steps to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and State authorities as Hurricane Sandy moves northward.

With the goal of helping to save lives and property during the
storm, the Secretary has agreed with the Governors of Maryland, New Hampshire,
New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to appoint Dual Status
Commanders as the storm approaches.

Dual Status Commanders are authorized to command both Federal and
State National Guard forces. This special authority enables them to effectively
integrate the defense support operations and capabilities that Governors
request. The Secretary is prepared to quickly agree to similar requests from
other States.

At the federal level, the Department's disaster preparedness and
response efforts support the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, and
rapidly meet the requests for assistance they provide.

United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is placing aviation
assets such as light and medium lift helicopters and rescue teams on 24 hour
Prepare to Deploy Order status in response to Hurricane Sandy. USNORTHCOM is
also providing military installations for FEMA to use to conduct response
operations, and is providing specialized planners who will help expedite DoD's
response to requests for assistance.

The National Guard Bureau is in close coordination with Adjutants
General (TAGs) and their disaster response teams in every East Coast state.
These State National Guard organizations are coordinating with their respective
state emergency management agencies and FEMA regions.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A GOES-13 infrared satellite image of Hurricane Sandy provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Monterey, Calif., shows the storm at approximately 7:00 a.m. EST in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) ordered all U.S. Navy ships in the Hampton Roads, Va., area to set Sortie Condition Alpha Oct. 26 in preparation for an upcoming sortie as Hurricane Sandy travels up the East Coast.

Adm. Bill Gortney, USFF commander, has directed ships to sortie between this afternoon and early tomorrow morning.

"Based on the current track of the storm, we made the decision to begin to sortie the fleet," said Gortney. "The current timeline allows them enough time to transit safely out of the path of the storm."

The Navy orders a sortie during potentially extreme weather conditions to reduce the risk of significant damage to ships and piers during high winds and seas.

Some ships will not get underway, due to various maintenance availabilities, and are taking extra precautions to avoid potential damage. Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port, depending on the severity of the weather. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor, and disconnecting shore power cables.

As a precautionary measure, Commander Navy Installations Command ordered all installations in the Hampton Roads area to set Tropical Cyclone Condition Three as Hurricane Sandy is forecast to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast. Tropical Cyclone Condition Three means destructive winds of greater than 50 knots associated with a tropical system, are expected within 48 hours.

A variety of information is available in support of family readiness during hurricane season including:

- Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System, http://go.usa.gov/kQ4, which provides a standardized method for the Navy to account, manage and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected and/or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event.

- State of Virginia Emergency Management, http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia, which has many resources for planning and preparing emergency kits, developing evacuation plans and addressing specific special needs for children, the elderly and others.

MDA, Soldiers from the 94th and 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC); Sailors aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62); and Airmen from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center conducted test, resulting in the simultaneous engagement of five ballistic missile and cruise missile targets.

An integrated air and ballistic missile defense architecture used multiple sensors and missiledefense systems to engage multiple targets at the same time. All targets were successfully launched and initial indications are that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully intercepted its first medium-range ballistic target in history, and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) near simultaneously destroyed a short-range ballistic missile and a low flying cruise missile target over water.

The live-fire demonstration, conducted at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site, Hickam Air Force Base, and surrounding areas in the western Pacific, stressed the performance of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), THAAD, and Patriot weapon systems.

An Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile was air-dropped over the broad ocean area north of Wake Island from a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft, staged from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, located with the THAAD system on Meck Island, tracked the E-LRALT and a THAAD interceptor successfully intercepted the medium-range ballistic missile. THAAD was operated by Soldiers from the 32nd AAMDC.

Another short-range ballistic missile was launched from a mobile launch platform located in the broad ocean area northeast of Kwajalein Atoll. The Patriot system, manned by Soldiers of the 94th AAMDC, detected, tracked and successfully intercepted the target with a PAC-3 interceptor.

USS Fitzgerald successfully engaged a low flying cruise missile over water. The Aegis system also tracked and launched an SM-3 Block 1A interceptor against a short-range ballistic missile. However, despite indication of a nominal flight of the SM-3 Block 1A interceptor, there was no indication of an intercept of the SRBM.

FTI-01 was a combined developmental and operational test. Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen from multiple Combatant Commands operated the systems and were provided a unique opportunity to refine operational doctrine and tactics. Program officials continue to assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

For the first time in almost two years, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 Sailors and Marines embarked Truman prior to Truman's Oct. 2 underway to prepare for Harry S. Truman Strike Group's upcoming deployment.

Capt. Mike Wallace, CVW-3's commander, said Truman's underway gave the air wing an opportunity to test and improve various skills across each of its squadrons. Including a focus on the timeliness of launches and recoveries, Wallace said increased attention was placed on flight operations such as airborne refueling and individual unit-level training.

"This is the first time the ship and air wing have operated together as a team since December 2010," said Wallace. "This underway included a high number of cyclic operations. We were launching and recovering aircraft for 12 hours at a time, refining the pilots' skills as they took off and landed on the carrier."

In total, CVW-3 pilots completed more than 1,300 launches and recoveries even as Truman Sailors and CVW-3 personnel participated in a multitude of shipboard training scenarios, both on the flight deck and in the hangar bay.

"The most noticeable part of our integration was that our Sailors and Marines were making flight operations look easy every time," said Cmdr. Paul Crump, Truman's air officer. "While working on the flight deck, there are so many variables, so many things that can happen, yet each launch and recovery was executed safely, quickly, and effectively."

Crump said the carrier's underway consisted of seamless teamwork between Truman's air department Sailors and CVW-3 as they conducted drills that simulated aircraft crashes and fires, barricade drills and mass casualty drills on the flight deck.

"CVW-3 Sailors have been enthusiastic, motivated and willing partners in every way," said Crump. "It's great to see how far this team has come in only a single underway. As we moved on to more complicated operations, CVW-3 and air department Sailors were performing with practiced regularity. The flight deck and hangar bays have evolved to pro-active environments rather than reactive ones."

Wallace agreed, noting the professionalism every Sailor and Marine displayed while conducting air operations.

"This has given us the chance to practice critical skills that we will have to demonstrate during actual missions while on deployment," said Wallace. "It's all about refining our proficiencies. We can't build upon the complexity of our mission execution until we have a solid foundation."

According to Wallace, the foundation could not have been built without the help of every Sailor and Marine aboard Truman.

"I could not be happier with the team we have built within Harry S. Truman Strike group," said Wallace. "We tell ourselves every day how blessed we are to have great people who get along and work hard together and truly understand that it's a team sport."

After disembarking, CVW-3 is scheduled to conduct advanced tactical training in Fallon, Nev., until mid-December.

Truman is scheduled to continue training in preparation for an upcoming composite training unit exercise.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command accepted delivery of its newest dry cargo/ammunition ship, USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14), during a short ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO Ship Yard San Diego, Oct. 24.

The ship, which was christened May 5 in San Diego, honors Cesar Chavez, an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. He is well known for his use of non-violent tactics that made the farm workers' struggle a moral cause with nationwide support.

"This is an historic day for Military Sealift Command, as we accept into our fleet the last ship in the T-AKE program," said Capt. Sylvester Moore, commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific. "Like the 13 ships that came before it, USNS Cesar Chavez will be an important component in support of the United States Navy ships and missions around the world. Whether we are supporting an aircraft carrier or transporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies, the T-AKEs and all MSC underway replenishment ships bring to life the motto: MSC delivers," he said.

With a crew of 125 civil service mariners working for MSC and 11 U.S. Navy Sailors who provide operational support and supply coordination, the 689-foot long Chavez is the 14th and final of the dry cargo/ammunition ships and is slated for use by MSC's Combat Logistics Force, or CLF.

CLF ships deliver ammunition, food, fuel and other supplies to U.S. and allied ships at sea, enabling the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence. The first 11 dry cargo/ammunition ships are currently operating as part of MSC's Combat Logistics Force,delivering vital fuel, equipment and supplies to Navy warships at sea. The remaining three ships the T-AKE class are expected to be assigned to maritime prepositioning squadrons, which strategically place combat cargo at sea for rapid delivery to warfighters ashore.

"The delivery of Chavez marks a significant milestone for MSC - we are now at full capacity with our dry-cargo and ammunition ships and stand ready to support a wide-range of Department of Defense requirements," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander, Military Sealift Command. "The T-AKEs, and the professional mariners who operate them, are a true testament to MSC's ability to operate forward and provide an unprecedented level of service and support to our warfighters worldwide," he said.

T-AKEs are the newest class of Combat Logistics Force ships built for MSC. They replace MSC's aging, single-mission supply ships such as Kilauea-class ammunition ships and Mars- and Sirius-class combat stores ships as they reach the end of their service lives.

MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

WASHINGTON - The District of Columbia National Guard is well underway in the planning for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration. More than 6,000 National Guard airmen and soldiers from at least 11 states and two territories are expected to provide critical support to include crowd management, traffic control, communications, emergency services and ceremonial duties. “The National Guard is home to a wide variety of capabilities, which can seamlessly integrate with our inter-agency partners for the inauguration,” said Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard. “We are proud to support the peaceful transition of power and ensure safety and the well-being of our fellow Americans during this nationally symbolic event.”

In addition to supporting local law enforcement with crowd management and traffic control, the National Guard will provide mission critical capabilities including medevac support, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive detection and 24/7 F-16 fighter alert over the National Capital Region.

Military involvement in the Presidential Inauguration dates back to April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, National Guard, and revolutionary war veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony.

The D.C. National Guard has participated in every inauguration since the 1861 Abraham Lincoln inauguration, where President Lincoln received his first salute from a D.C. Guardsman.

Military support to the inauguration honors the commander in chief, recognizes civilian control of the military and celebrates democracy.

Adm. Kirk Donald, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion,
will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Ellen Roughead, wife of former
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and a Minnesota native, will serve
as ship's sponsor and break a champagne bottle against a plate welded to the
hull, and officially christen the ship 'Minnesota.'

Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia class is named in
honor of the state's citizens and their continued support to our nation's
military. Minnesota has a long tradition of honoring its veterans of wars past
and present. The state is proud to be home to 46 Medal of Honor recipients that
span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.

"There is a special relationship between a state and its
namesake ship," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "Naming this submarine
Minnesota not only salutes the proud history of military support and
contributions made by the people of Minnesota, but will also serve as a
testament to the U.S. Navy's enduring bond with the great state of Minnesota for
decades to come."

This will be the third ship to bear the state name. The
first USS Minnesota, a sailing steam frigate, was commissioned in 1857 and
served during the Civil War, remaining in service until her decommissioning in
1898. The second Minnesota was commissioned in 1907. On Dec. 16, 1907 she
departed Hampton Roads as one of the 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet
sent by then-President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage around the world. She
continued her service through World War I, and was decommissioned in
1921.

Minnesota will provide the Navy with the capabilities
required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
She will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and
special warfare enhancements that will enable her to meet the Navy's
multi-mission requirements.

The 7,800-ton Minnesota is built under a teaming
arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls
Industries. A crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel will
operate the 377-foot long, 34-foot beam vessel, which will be able to dive to
depths of greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots
submerged. Minnesota is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will not
require refueling during the planned life of the ship - reducing lifecycle costs
while increasing underway time.

PHIBLEX is an annual bilateral exercise held in conjunction with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and develop professional and personal relationships between U.S. and Philippine forces.

"Our historical relationship with the Republic of the Philippines is important," said Lt. Col. Troy Roesti, executive officer of the 31st MEU. "The resounding success of PHIBLEX 13 served to strengthen and reinforce the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries."

PHIBLEX lasted 10 days and was conducted at sea and ashore in the Republic of the Philippines. The bilateral training covered many different aspects of military operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and combined arms live-fire exercises.

"The value of this partnered training is immeasurable," said Roesti. "The resounding success, camaraderie and esprit de corps experienced during PHIBLEX 13 will serve as a benchmark for future exercises and training opportunities with our friends in the Philippines."

Marines and Sailors from the 31st MEU also visited five schools in Margulo, Magsaysay and Puerta Princesa. During these visits service members helped clean the schools by removing weeds and brush and by picking up trash. They also had the chance to interact with the children at the schools by playing games and talking with them.

"Getting to interact with the Filipino children goes beyond just playing games with them," said Lance Cpl. Cameron Wright, a heavy equipment operator with the 31st MEU. "They'll remember our visits and the various medical and engineering projects we've done with them, which all goes toward fostering a stronger relationship that goes beyond military-to-military training. These are lifelong bonds for the future."

Exercises like PHIBLEX help strengthen the ties between the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Pacific region.

"The partnered training during this exercise allowed U.S. Marines and Sailors, alongside Republic of the Philippine marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen, to teach and learn from each other, practice newly acquired skills and then demonstrate their unique capabilities," said Roesti. "The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU leave PHIBLEX 13 better trained and with memories that will not be forgotten."

Monday, October 22, 2012

Well, within a minute or two I have the answer to the N/MC MARS encryption method. Oh lordy, I forgot to sign the super secret handshake before I posted this. Tin foil hat in hand see CHNAVMARCORMARS message below dated 10-4-2012:

DE NNN0ASA 068R 041200Z OCT 2012FM NNN0ASA VATO NNN0ALLBTUNCLASSUBJ: CHNAVMARCORMARS INFO BCST 40-12
1. KL-7 SIMULATOR: SEVERAL AGENCIES HAVE ASKED FOR SOME MEANS OFPROTECTING SENSITIVE DATA WHEN TRANSMITTED OVER THE AIR. NNN0ASG SIXHAS FOUND A 1950'S ERA ENCRYPTION DEVICE SIMULATOR PROGRAM, THE KL-7SIMULATOR, THAT PRODUCES FIVE-LETTER CODED GROUPS WITH THE EQUIVALENTOF 151-BIT KEY ENCRYPTION. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PROGRAM CANNOT BE USED TOSEND CLASSIFIED MATERIAL SINCE IT IS NOT APPROVED BY THE NATIONALSECURITY AGENCY, BUT IT CAN PROVIDE A MEANS OF HIDING DATA FROM ALLBUT THE MOST SERIOUS HACKERS. THE PROGRAM LINK AND A SERIES OF SIXTRAINING LECTURES HAS BEEN POSTED ON A YAHOO GROUPS WEBSITE: HTTP://GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/MARS_ENCRYPTION/MEMBERSHIP TO THIS WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY LIMITED TO VALIDATED NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS MEMBERS. CHECK IT OUT. WE OLD-TIMERS WILLAPPRECIATE THE SIMULATOR PROGRAM'S SOUNDS THAT EMULATE THE ORIGINALMACHINE. ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS THE SMELL OF OIL AND OZONE.

Just when you thought it was safe to ditch the tin foil hat, the Navy/MC MARS nets have stepped up to the plate with a new super secret squirrel method of operation (encypting message text). Here is an interesting intercept monitoring by our good friend Gray Ghost. Anyone have any ideas on what method these guys are using to encrpt their text?

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Eglin begins participating in the Air Force Materiel Command's Exercise Global Thunder/Vigilant Shield 13 from Oct. 22 - 26. During this period, the installation might experience some delays or short closures in areas due to exercise requirements. The installation will try to keep impacts to an absolute minimum.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

So, with the cosmodrome "Plesetsk" launched intercontinental missile "Topol". As noted in the military, she was struck by the high degree of accuracy in the Kamchatka conditional target range "Kura". Another ballistic - was launched from a nuclear submarine Pacific Fleet "Saint George". The aim was also affected.

Successful cruise missiles and had shot the famous Tu-160 and Tu-95 MS. While crews spent in the air for about 15 hours.

The Defense Ministry said that these launches have confirmed the reliability of the strategic triad of Russia - SRF, nuclear missile submarines and missile range aircraft.

Following information is noted on Russian MOD website dated 20 October 2012. It
adds a little more to the story unfolding concerning activities by the Strategic
Triad of the Russian Armed Forces. Which activity - or at least the Strategic
Air Forces part of it - was reflected in the collection of morse communications
by a number of UDXF monitors. The additional information apparently reveals
that the Russians themselves used one of the Cruise Missiles launched by a
Ehngel's-based TU95MS (Bear H) located some 800 Km away as a target for 2
SAMs fired by an Air-Defence PANTsIR' "C" located on the PEMBA Range. The ALCM
was said to have been destroyed.

Details:

The active phase
of combat training operations within the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
is bringing to an end the Summer training period and the 2012 training year.
On the 19 October, on the PEMBA range - situated within the Republic of
KOMI, the capability of the newest Anti-Air Missile/Gun Complex - the
Pantsir'"C" to intercept an actual live Cruise Missile was assessed for the
first time. Earlier crew training by the teams manning this newest complex
being delivered to our army had been limited to the use of training version
imitation Cruise Missile targets.
The launch of the Cruise Missile was
accomplished by the crew of a Long Range Aviation TU-95MS bomber against a
target which was located at a distance of 800 Km. The combat team of the
Anti-Air Missile/Gun Complex Pantsir"C" successfully complied with the assigned
mission and, not allowing the destruction of the target under their protection,
destroyed the target (ie. the ALCM) using two AA missiles.
For several days
prior to this event, personnel and equipment from Air/Space Defence Units were
transported over several thousand Km into the PEMBA Range area by aircraft of
Military Transport Aviation forces (VTA). They carried out further moves under
their own resources - moving themselves several kilometres as part of the
training. The combat teams and their vehicles assumed the duty of protecting a
"dummy" administrative object. The actual protected object was the
administrative building serving the Range area.
This training, carried out
at the northern PEMBA Range has confirmed the high-level tactical-technical
characteristics of the newest complex and the level of training of the
complexcombat teams...

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir
Putin took a leading role in the latest tests of Russia's strategic nuclear
arsenal, the most comprehensive since the 1991 Soviet collapse, the Kremlin said
on Saturday.

The exercises, held mostly on Friday, featured prominently in news reports on
state television which seemed aimed to show Russians and the world that Putin is
the hands-on chief of a resurgent power.
Tests involving command systems and all three components of the nuclear
"triad" - land and sea-launched long-range nuclear missiles and strategic
bombers - were conducted "under the personal leadership of Vladimir Putin", the
Kremlin said.

An RS-12M Topol Intercontinental Ballistic Missile was launched from the
Plesetsk site in northern Russia, and a
submarine test-launched another ICBM from the Sea of Okhotsk, the Defence
Ministry said.
Long-range Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers fired four guided missiles that hit their
targets on a testing range in the northwestern Komi region, it said.
"Exercises of the strategic nuclear forces were conducted on such a scale for
the first time in the modern history of Russia," the Kremlin statement said.

The exercises included tests of communications systems and "new algorithms"
for command and control, it said.